gun violence

8 dead in separate shootings after violent weekend in Philadelphia

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Violent weekend in Philadelphia leaves at least 10 shot, 6 dead after multiple shootings

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- An outbreak of violence in the city of Philadelphia since early Saturday has left eight people dead in separate shootings.

The most recent shooting happened at 12:22 a.m. Monday. That's when a 42-year-old man was shot and killed in the 2400 block of Aramingo Avenue behind the Pep Boys building.

The victim has been identified as Lucas Cordero from the 3100 block of Memphis Street.

Witnesses told police they saw three males running from the scene, one with an automatic rifle.

At 9:37 p.m. Sunday, a 48-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the chest in the 5200 block of Sydenham St. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Christopher Johnston from Sydenham Street.

A 26-year-old man was shot and killed just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 2800 block of N. Bonsall Street. He has been identified as Dashon Land of Blackwood, New Jersey.

"It's so bad out here," said Cynthia Presley, who lives near the Bonsall Street shooting scene. "It makes you scared to walk and just do anything for people."

At 11:27 p.m. Saturday, 22-year-old Tamere Mountcastle was shot and killed in the 1400 block of W. Chew Avenue. Mountcastle was a resident of the block.

A 45-year-old woman, identified as Patricia Hall, was found shot to death on the living room floor of a home in the 100 block of East Pastorius Street at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

At 8:49 a.m. Saturday, 33-year-old Edward Harlem was found shot in the neck at Cleveland and Cumberland streets and was pronounced dead at Temple University Hospital.

At 6:50 a.m. Saturday, a 54-year-old man was found shot in the chest in the 100 block of Herman Street.

A 26-year-old man, identified as Andre Moore, was shot multiple times in the 7300 block of N. 19th Street around 12:15 p.m. Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the hospital about a half hour later.

Presley said she feels unsafe, and the ongoing violence takes a toll on residents.

"I feel like if I could just pick up the home I live in and move, I would definitely be gone," said Presley. "It's crazy."

Dwayne Fletcher, the founder of Gunz Down Glovez Up, says the numbers are staggering.

"It's sad. We're losing our youth to gun violence and to the jail system, and then our adults - they're being victims," he said.

Fletcher is a victim of gun violence himself after being shot in the face by a teenager.

Now, he continues to spread awareness about gun violence. He teaches youth how to become successful through his boxing organization, Gunz Down Glovez Up.

"Boxing, it's a way of life," said Fletcher. "It helps teach you how to be patient, how to think things through, self-defense. I believe change will come as long as we come together. Nobody's coming to save us. We have to come together."

Philadelphia police are investigating these shootings and homicides.

If anyone has any information on these incidents, contact police.